DARTS HIT SEVEN, BUT IS IT ENOUGH?
Posted: Fri May 10, 2024 6:28 pm
Match Report: Crawley 0 Dartford 7
London & South East Regional League, Premier Division, played on Sunday 5th May 2024 at Three Bridges FC
Team: Paris Smith (gk), Charlie Torry, Chana Hinds, Georgie Davis, Meghan McKeag,
Xayla-Rae Alberts, Molly Hawkins, Beth Powell, Gabby Howell, Emily Vaughan, Amelia Woodgate
Subs (all used): Lizzie Adams, Hannah Cleary, Emily Woodhouse, Shauni Griffiths, Madison Woodgate
Scorers: Emily Vaughan(3), Emily Woodhouse, Hannah Cleary, Meghan McKeag, Amelia Woodgate
CRAWLEY BLOWN AWAY FIRST HALF – DEFIANT IN SECOND
As early as the second minute Darts’ gave a signal of their intent – to score goals. Megan passed to Gabby who in turn played a beautiful pass to Molly Hawkins who sent over a great cross with Charlie Torry in close attendance but the goalie gathered just in time, although slipping in the muddy six-yard area. Then seconds later a good ball from Amelia set up Molly for a shot but the keeper, to her credit, stood her ground and forced Molly to fire high and over the bar.
Two minutes later Meghan played a great ball over the defence to Emily Vaughan, running towards the bi-line, from where she whipped over a cross which Amelia tried to side-foot the ball over the line, but it bobbled up at just the wrong time and the ball rolled just inches wide of the post.
In the 5th minute GGGOOOAAALL - Emily Vaughan got on the end of a great Beth through-ball from the right; into the area and Em smashes it home. 1-0
Three minutes later a long ball from Chana was chased hard by Molly who kept it in play, pulled it back across the 6-yard box and there were four Darts’ players but none could capitalise on the chance. Then Amelia received the ball and with a nice bit of footwork got her shot away but unluckily rebounded of the far post straight into the surprised goalie’s arms.
Meghan and Georgie were linking up really well together on the left and constantly getting into the Crawley penalty area, but it was just wanting for good finishing and the goals may well have mounted up. As it was Crawley rode their luck and stood tall.
Then a thunderbolt of a shot was unleased by Charlie Torry which wasn’t too far off target.
On 14 minutes a Crawley player needed attention and a three minute hold up gave the home side time for a breather.
Chana won the ball in her own half and played the ball up to Em Vaughan in the centre-circle. She then played a beautiful diagonal ball to Georgie on the left; sending over a pinpoint cross to Amelia, in the 6-yard box, who turned but side footed it inches wide of the target.
Crawley’s tall centre-back began to build in stature, with Darts creating loads but scoring only once, but there always seemed to be acres of space on the left for Georgie & Meghan to exploit.
Amelia lays it inside for Georgie Davis & Em Vaughan- both sets of toes just failed to make contact right in front of the goalmouth.
On 24 mins a foul on Molly Hawkins just outside the area saw Meghan fire in a long-range shot at goal. It looked to be going in but slight deflection (from a Darts’ player) took the sating out of it and it passed over the bar.
Connor ‘B’ takes over with the Tweets:
21 mins OFF THE BAR AGAIN. Meghan retrieves just inside Crawley half, nice ball through to Georgie cuts inside and puts over a great cross which sees the goalie palming it onto the crossbar. Second goal still eluding Darts.
24 mins GGOOAALL Darts get their second of the afternoon. Great inter-play between the Darts sets Vaughany through on goal and puts the ball beyond the keeper. 2-0
25 mins Subs: Off M. Hawkins; ON S. Griffiths
28 mins OFF THE BAR AGAIN Free kick comes in from the left-hand side, finds Shauni in the 6yd box, comes back off the bar again. …… Gabby with in-swinging a foot outside penalty box, met by Shauni, fired it in and hits the underside of bar, immediately forward ball to Georgie Davis who gets the ball into the goalmouth but Amelia just couldn’t reach it.
30 mins Double change: Off G. Davis, & C Torry; ON Lizzie Adams and Hannah Cleary
32 mins GGOOAALL – Darts get their third. Good work by Paris in Darts goals ball out to Meghan, to Lizzie across to the right for Shauni nice little touch to Em Vaughan into Chana who lays it on a plate for Hannah, who’d only been on the pitch a minute and slotted it neatly home on 33 mins 3-0
36 mins: Off Xayla, ON Emily Woodhouse
Time and again, the crosses rained down on Crawley’s goalmouth but the strikers, although close, were often just not close enough.
Free-Flowing football involving all of the team; Crawley really being outplayed now.
Nicely weighted ball from Xayla into 6-yard box where the goalie made a good goal line save.
39 mins GGOOAALL Instant impact from Woodhouse” Great ball from Chana, across the box finds Emily Woodhouse to hammer home the fourth goal of the afternoon. 4-0
Paris outside to Chana on the right, forward to Shauni gets the ball into the goalmouth but the ball just wouldn’t fall neatly for any striker.
37 mins in-swinging corner would have gone straight in had it not been for alert Crawley defender on the near post.
38 mins Xayla Off, Em Woodhouse on (changing her shirt as she goes from back to front!)
43 mins – Crawley free-kick chance for them to pull one back but kick was too high and no problem for Paris between the sticks.
48 mins – Paris good distribution sets Meghan away, a beautiful ball up to Lizzie Adams who wins a throw. Hannah to Amelia who wins a corner – Shauni corner in-swinging short to Amelia and Beth ‘s header was well saved over the bar for another corner.
“AN ADELE ASSIST”
49 mins Meghan short to Beth back to Meghan good cross and goes straight in. but ruled out for offside. But it can’t be; no-one touched it. but Adele’s vocal claims from behind the goal that nobody touched the ball until it was over the line. With that, the referee consulted with his linesman – goal given. 5-0 straight in. Adele was very vocal behind the goal. (We’ll record that as an “Adele assist”)
We award an "assist" to Adele, behind the goal
HT 5-0
Connor ‘B’ continuing his Tweets:
Off Gabby; ON Madison Woodgate
49 mins Cross from the left from Hannah finds Shauni at the back post, unable to get the effort on target
54 mins Close to another goal, Amelia gets in behind the Crawley defence, shot on goal goes inches past the post.
THAT ELUSIVE 6TH GOAL
Goal’s go-a-begging. Meghan got the ball over and in turn Emily Vaughan put the goalie off, who in turn put Shauni off and the ball ran out, but any slightest of goal-bound touches would have secured No 6. But it just wouldn’t go in.
Five minutes into the second half Amelia received the ball and is faced with a one-on-one situation. She opened her body up (as Jimmy Greaves used to say “pass the ball to the back stanchion”) which she tried, but instead it rolled just inches the wrong side of the post.
With ten minutes now gone of the second half, Chana was appearing more and more almost as a right winger, very effective and constantly getting past the last defender close to the bi-line. On this occasion she got a cross in which was met beautifully by Em Vaughan, with the goalie nowhere near it. 6-0
Then from a corner sent over by Shauni, Chana rose high but headed just over.
Throw from Meghan to Em Woodhouse, receives it back and puts over a cross/shot that the goalie had to stop high above her head just on the line.
More Connor ‘B’ Tweets:
61 mins Great move from the Darts. Amelia heads the ball on to Hannah who produced a rasping shot but was straight at the goalie; then Darts had a goal disallowed which was touch and go whether offside – but not given.
62 mins OFF Meghan and Amelia; ON Gabby and Georgie
65 mins Close to another – cross from Georgie on the left-hand side, ball falls to Vaughany, but it’s over the bar
Triple change: OFF Emily Woodhouse, Shauni & Beth; ON Xayla, Charlie, Molly (goes in goal!)
80 mins Free kick from Gabby, blocked by the keeper .. rebound from Chana goes over the bar
81 mins: OFF Emily Vaughan and Hannah; ON Meghan and Amelia
83 mins Darts have the ball in the net, but it’s ruled out for offside
85 mins OFF Georgie; ON Emily Woodhouse
87 mins OFF Lizzie ON Shauni
90 mins chance for the home side… they get in behind the Darts’ defence. Molly stands up well and saves with her leg. A Good save. (Massive cheer from the crowd)
We couldn't possibly leave this photo out, could we!
WAS THE 7th GOAL EVER GOING TO COME?
The answer, on 92mins: GGOOAALL Darts get their seventh. Amelia gets in behind the Crawley defence and smashes the ball past the keeper
94 mins Shauni with an effort from distance; over the cross bar although otherwise on target.
FT 7-0
SUMMARY:
Right from the off it was obvious that Darts were going all out to increase their goal tally.
The match was so one-sided, yet strangely, Crawley were no push-overs, no mugs. They had good heart and never actually capitulated. Second half often Beth was left on her own at the back, playing a sweeper-role, but had to be on her toes with Crawley’s lone striker roving around trying for a better angle of getting past her.
Chana played a very forward-looking role, often popping up near the Crawley bi-line and getting over some very effective crosses.
Every one for Darts had a good game, but even with seven goals on the score-sheet it often felt that they’d left their goal-scoring boots behind.
Second-half Crawley got lots of bodies behind the ball – and obviously trying a rearguard ‘damage limitation’ exercise.
Darts’ perhaps, became a little too frantic trying to get more goals, there weren’t as many chances in the second half as there where in the first. A little more composure might (just might) have produced a few more goals but it’s always easy to say after the event.
Anyway, a good solid all-round performance.
Well done Darts!
Report by Tony Brown with 'Tweets' from Connor Brennan
Photos by Taur Everard
London & South East Regional League, Premier Division, played on Sunday 5th May 2024 at Three Bridges FC
Team: Paris Smith (gk), Charlie Torry, Chana Hinds, Georgie Davis, Meghan McKeag,
Xayla-Rae Alberts, Molly Hawkins, Beth Powell, Gabby Howell, Emily Vaughan, Amelia Woodgate
Subs (all used): Lizzie Adams, Hannah Cleary, Emily Woodhouse, Shauni Griffiths, Madison Woodgate
Scorers: Emily Vaughan(3), Emily Woodhouse, Hannah Cleary, Meghan McKeag, Amelia Woodgate
CRAWLEY BLOWN AWAY FIRST HALF – DEFIANT IN SECOND
As early as the second minute Darts’ gave a signal of their intent – to score goals. Megan passed to Gabby who in turn played a beautiful pass to Molly Hawkins who sent over a great cross with Charlie Torry in close attendance but the goalie gathered just in time, although slipping in the muddy six-yard area. Then seconds later a good ball from Amelia set up Molly for a shot but the keeper, to her credit, stood her ground and forced Molly to fire high and over the bar.
Two minutes later Meghan played a great ball over the defence to Emily Vaughan, running towards the bi-line, from where she whipped over a cross which Amelia tried to side-foot the ball over the line, but it bobbled up at just the wrong time and the ball rolled just inches wide of the post.
In the 5th minute GGGOOOAAALL - Emily Vaughan got on the end of a great Beth through-ball from the right; into the area and Em smashes it home. 1-0
Three minutes later a long ball from Chana was chased hard by Molly who kept it in play, pulled it back across the 6-yard box and there were four Darts’ players but none could capitalise on the chance. Then Amelia received the ball and with a nice bit of footwork got her shot away but unluckily rebounded of the far post straight into the surprised goalie’s arms.
Meghan and Georgie were linking up really well together on the left and constantly getting into the Crawley penalty area, but it was just wanting for good finishing and the goals may well have mounted up. As it was Crawley rode their luck and stood tall.
Then a thunderbolt of a shot was unleased by Charlie Torry which wasn’t too far off target.
On 14 minutes a Crawley player needed attention and a three minute hold up gave the home side time for a breather.
Chana won the ball in her own half and played the ball up to Em Vaughan in the centre-circle. She then played a beautiful diagonal ball to Georgie on the left; sending over a pinpoint cross to Amelia, in the 6-yard box, who turned but side footed it inches wide of the target.
Crawley’s tall centre-back began to build in stature, with Darts creating loads but scoring only once, but there always seemed to be acres of space on the left for Georgie & Meghan to exploit.
Amelia lays it inside for Georgie Davis & Em Vaughan- both sets of toes just failed to make contact right in front of the goalmouth.
On 24 mins a foul on Molly Hawkins just outside the area saw Meghan fire in a long-range shot at goal. It looked to be going in but slight deflection (from a Darts’ player) took the sating out of it and it passed over the bar.
Connor ‘B’ takes over with the Tweets:
21 mins OFF THE BAR AGAIN. Meghan retrieves just inside Crawley half, nice ball through to Georgie cuts inside and puts over a great cross which sees the goalie palming it onto the crossbar. Second goal still eluding Darts.
24 mins GGOOAALL Darts get their second of the afternoon. Great inter-play between the Darts sets Vaughany through on goal and puts the ball beyond the keeper. 2-0
25 mins Subs: Off M. Hawkins; ON S. Griffiths
28 mins OFF THE BAR AGAIN Free kick comes in from the left-hand side, finds Shauni in the 6yd box, comes back off the bar again. …… Gabby with in-swinging a foot outside penalty box, met by Shauni, fired it in and hits the underside of bar, immediately forward ball to Georgie Davis who gets the ball into the goalmouth but Amelia just couldn’t reach it.
30 mins Double change: Off G. Davis, & C Torry; ON Lizzie Adams and Hannah Cleary
32 mins GGOOAALL – Darts get their third. Good work by Paris in Darts goals ball out to Meghan, to Lizzie across to the right for Shauni nice little touch to Em Vaughan into Chana who lays it on a plate for Hannah, who’d only been on the pitch a minute and slotted it neatly home on 33 mins 3-0
36 mins: Off Xayla, ON Emily Woodhouse
Time and again, the crosses rained down on Crawley’s goalmouth but the strikers, although close, were often just not close enough.
Free-Flowing football involving all of the team; Crawley really being outplayed now.
Nicely weighted ball from Xayla into 6-yard box where the goalie made a good goal line save.
39 mins GGOOAALL Instant impact from Woodhouse” Great ball from Chana, across the box finds Emily Woodhouse to hammer home the fourth goal of the afternoon. 4-0
Paris outside to Chana on the right, forward to Shauni gets the ball into the goalmouth but the ball just wouldn’t fall neatly for any striker.
37 mins in-swinging corner would have gone straight in had it not been for alert Crawley defender on the near post.
38 mins Xayla Off, Em Woodhouse on (changing her shirt as she goes from back to front!)
43 mins – Crawley free-kick chance for them to pull one back but kick was too high and no problem for Paris between the sticks.
48 mins – Paris good distribution sets Meghan away, a beautiful ball up to Lizzie Adams who wins a throw. Hannah to Amelia who wins a corner – Shauni corner in-swinging short to Amelia and Beth ‘s header was well saved over the bar for another corner.
“AN ADELE ASSIST”
49 mins Meghan short to Beth back to Meghan good cross and goes straight in. but ruled out for offside. But it can’t be; no-one touched it. but Adele’s vocal claims from behind the goal that nobody touched the ball until it was over the line. With that, the referee consulted with his linesman – goal given. 5-0 straight in. Adele was very vocal behind the goal. (We’ll record that as an “Adele assist”)
HT 5-0
Connor ‘B’ continuing his Tweets:
Off Gabby; ON Madison Woodgate
49 mins Cross from the left from Hannah finds Shauni at the back post, unable to get the effort on target
54 mins Close to another goal, Amelia gets in behind the Crawley defence, shot on goal goes inches past the post.
THAT ELUSIVE 6TH GOAL
Goal’s go-a-begging. Meghan got the ball over and in turn Emily Vaughan put the goalie off, who in turn put Shauni off and the ball ran out, but any slightest of goal-bound touches would have secured No 6. But it just wouldn’t go in.
Five minutes into the second half Amelia received the ball and is faced with a one-on-one situation. She opened her body up (as Jimmy Greaves used to say “pass the ball to the back stanchion”) which she tried, but instead it rolled just inches the wrong side of the post.
With ten minutes now gone of the second half, Chana was appearing more and more almost as a right winger, very effective and constantly getting past the last defender close to the bi-line. On this occasion she got a cross in which was met beautifully by Em Vaughan, with the goalie nowhere near it. 6-0
Then from a corner sent over by Shauni, Chana rose high but headed just over.
Throw from Meghan to Em Woodhouse, receives it back and puts over a cross/shot that the goalie had to stop high above her head just on the line.
More Connor ‘B’ Tweets:
61 mins Great move from the Darts. Amelia heads the ball on to Hannah who produced a rasping shot but was straight at the goalie; then Darts had a goal disallowed which was touch and go whether offside – but not given.
62 mins OFF Meghan and Amelia; ON Gabby and Georgie
65 mins Close to another – cross from Georgie on the left-hand side, ball falls to Vaughany, but it’s over the bar
Triple change: OFF Emily Woodhouse, Shauni & Beth; ON Xayla, Charlie, Molly (goes in goal!)
80 mins Free kick from Gabby, blocked by the keeper .. rebound from Chana goes over the bar
81 mins: OFF Emily Vaughan and Hannah; ON Meghan and Amelia
83 mins Darts have the ball in the net, but it’s ruled out for offside
85 mins OFF Georgie; ON Emily Woodhouse
87 mins OFF Lizzie ON Shauni
90 mins chance for the home side… they get in behind the Darts’ defence. Molly stands up well and saves with her leg. A Good save. (Massive cheer from the crowd)
WAS THE 7th GOAL EVER GOING TO COME?
The answer, on 92mins: GGOOAALL Darts get their seventh. Amelia gets in behind the Crawley defence and smashes the ball past the keeper
94 mins Shauni with an effort from distance; over the cross bar although otherwise on target.
FT 7-0
SUMMARY:
Right from the off it was obvious that Darts were going all out to increase their goal tally.
The match was so one-sided, yet strangely, Crawley were no push-overs, no mugs. They had good heart and never actually capitulated. Second half often Beth was left on her own at the back, playing a sweeper-role, but had to be on her toes with Crawley’s lone striker roving around trying for a better angle of getting past her.
Chana played a very forward-looking role, often popping up near the Crawley bi-line and getting over some very effective crosses.
Every one for Darts had a good game, but even with seven goals on the score-sheet it often felt that they’d left their goal-scoring boots behind.
Second-half Crawley got lots of bodies behind the ball – and obviously trying a rearguard ‘damage limitation’ exercise.
Darts’ perhaps, became a little too frantic trying to get more goals, there weren’t as many chances in the second half as there where in the first. A little more composure might (just might) have produced a few more goals but it’s always easy to say after the event.
Anyway, a good solid all-round performance.
Well done Darts!
Report by Tony Brown with 'Tweets' from Connor Brennan
Photos by Taur Everard